Philadelphia
Eagles 2004 Draft
| Round | Selection # | Player | Position | Ht. | Wt. | School |
| 1 | 16 (from SF) | Shawn Andrews | OT | 6'4" | 373 | Arkansas |
| 2 | 58 (Traded to SF) | |||||
| 3 | 89 | Matt Ware | CB | 6'2" | 209 | UCLA |
| 4 | 129 | J.R. Reed | S/KR | 5'10" | 201 | South Florida |
| 4 | 131 | Trey Darilek | OL | 6'4" | 301 | Texas-El Paso |
| 5 | 162 (from KC) | Thomas Tapeh | FB | 6'1" | 245 | Minnesota |
| 6 | 185 | Andy Hall | QB | 6'1" | 218 | Delaware |
| 6 | 192 | Dexter Wynn | CB | 5'9" | 175 | Colorado State |
| 7 | 227 | Adrien Clarke | C/G | 6'4" | 334 | Ohio State |
| 7 | 242 | Bruce Perry | RB | 5'7" | 196 | Maryland |
| 7 | 243 | Dominic Furio | C | 6'3" | 295 | UNLV |
The Philadelphia Eagles 2004 NFL Draft is now history. In somewhat of a surprise, the Eagles traded their number two pick in order to move up in the first round from position 28 to position 16. In even more of a surprise, however, the Eagles did not draft the consensus best running back in the draft who was still available, (Steven Jackson of Oregon State), but instead chose a player at a position that was not, by most observers considered a need, offensive tackle Shawn Andrews of the University of Arkansas.
One can only wonder to what degree this pick was the result of offensive lineman John Welbourn's verbal attack on the team and the coach for not being willing to renegotiate the long term contract he signed in 2001. Welbourn's days as an Eagle appeared to be numbered following his Friday appearance on 610 WIP's Morning Show with Angelo Cataldi. In fact, Welbourn was traded on day two of the draft to the Kansas City Chiefs in exchange for a fifth-round draft pick in 2004 and a fourth- round draft pick in 2005.
The pick of Shawn Andrews has been questioned by some as a reach. Andrews has had problems keeping his weight under control, at one point ballooning to over 400 pounds. When he is in shape, however, he is a quality lineman. There is no question about his character which is highly praised for his charitable and community work.
Having traded their second round pick, the Eagles did not pick again until the end of day one, when they chose Matt Ware of UCLA with pick number 89. Ware played safety in college, but will be used by the Eagles at the cornerback position where his 6'2' height makes him one of the taller corners in the NFL.
Overall the draft saw the Eagles take four offensive linemen, two running backs, two cornerbacks, one safety and one backup quarterback. The most surprising pick is actually the lack of any pick of a linebacker, a position where the Eagles clearly have need.
I always find it amusing that people grade drafts. The only grade that's possible at this point is incomplete since the results of this draft won't really be known for several years. It does, however, appear that the Eagles have upgraded themselves on the offensive line and at cornerback. A veteran presence at running back and linebacker will have to be filled before or at training camp from the crop of players released by other teams.
